One of the more interesting Gundam manga that I’ve been reading has gotten its anime adaption and it’s pretty awesome. Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt (Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt) is an on-going manga series published since 2012 and set in the UC era. Basically the Federation forces are fighting against Zeon in an area of space known as the Thunderbolt sector which is named after electrical discharges proliferating that area coming from the debris of multiple space colonies.

Like any other Gundam anime/manga, it’s difficult to determine a clear cut protagonist/antagonist between the two main characters, the Federation ensign Io Flemming, and the disabled Zeon pilot Daryl Lorenz who is part of a larger squad filled with likewise disabled Zeon pilots, dubbed the Living Dead.

The first episode in this animated adaptation does not disappoint, as the graphics are, well, almost, jaw-dropping. The effect is kinda like watching Macross Frontier for the first time when it was released back in 2008. I believe the keyword was sugoi, in the awesome sense. Fans of Gundam Unicorn will feel right at home here.

The first sortie with the Zeon forces nearly ended up in defeat for the Federation forces but it was ended in a rather unconventional way, which ironically conveniently paves the path for revenge. Viewers are quickly introduced to the Full Armor Gundam but as to whether we get to see the full capabilities of the machine, the next episode beckons (with this series being an ONA, I’m not sure on when’s the next air date).

The last time I wrote about Fullmetal Battle, it was back in May, and now, the highly anticipated RPG Fighting Game based on the popular anime series, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is now available for free on the iPhone and iPod touch. Developed by Good Game Productions, the game will see iPad, Android and Facebook versions coming soon in the near future. Check out the press release below for details:

Flower Mound, TEXAS – November 21, 2011 – FUNimation Entertainment announced today the launch of the highly anticipated iPhone game based on the acclaimed anime series “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.” Developed by Good Game Productions, Fullmetal Battle is a turn-based Online Collectable Card Game with an immediately recognizable RPG style of combat and is available now for the iPhone and iPod Touch and will be followed shortly by the iPad.

Fullmetal Battle is a free to play turn-based Collectable Card Game that lets players design their own state licensed alchemist decks from a variety of abilities and effects inspired by the “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” series and proceed into battle against other online players.

Immersed in a fictional universe styled after the European Industrial Revolution, players can also challenge popular Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood characters including fan-favorites Alphonse and Edward Elric while receiving helpful tips from Roy Mustang!

Fullmetal Battle is a title that blends elements of the standard Online Collectable Card Game and freemium aspects of a free-to-play MMO. Each card the player owns can gain experience, eventually gaining levels and new abilities. Players are encouraged to purchase additional packs of playing cards and eventually trade them with other players.

“Fullmetal Alchemist” is one of our top hits and therefore is a great candidate for brand expansion. We are proud to partner with Good Game Productions so that we may include the “Fullmetal Battle” Mobile App into our catalog, “said Gen Fukunaga CEO of FUNimation Entertainment.

The player’s team of state alchemists band together in three vs. three combat, with unique access to special potions and single-use items, players have the opportunity to upgrade their core Alchemy transmutation circles and actions that are central to the game. With complete integration to Facebook, players have the ability to fight their online friends and eventually form teams of state based Alchemists!

I remember watching the music videos from Daft Punk‘s Discovery album years ago and their anime style and somewhat semblance of a storyline caught my eye. I didn’t know that there was a full featured movie style music video featuring all the tracks from Discovery; it’s an hour long anime movie musical titled Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem. Check it out over here (if you haven’t already).

If you think the anime style seems somewhat familiar, that’s because the movie was done by Toei Animation, the people behind DBZ, Captain Harlock and many more anime series.

I’ve not been collecting Kubricks or Bearbricks for a while but these fellas are simply too cute to resist. Medicom and Banpresto have joined forces to release a new set of Kubricks based on the characters and mecha from the 2nd Evangelion movie, You Can (Not) Advance.

The unique part of this collection is that 6 of the characters come with different parts that will form up the 7th character, Unit 5. The six characters include the plug suit versions of Asuka, Mari, Koworu and mechas Eva 02, 03 and 00.

Play-Asia ships these Kubricks randomly at USD 10.90 each, so you don’t know what you might get. Ordering a box of 24 will result in a factory-sealed container being shipped to you, increasing your chances of getting uniques and completing Unit 5.

Priced at USD 49.90 each (~ RM 170), Alto’s ship features Ranka (I would prefer Sheryl though) on the decals while Michel’s features who else but Klan Klang. Interested? Click here for Alto’s VF-25F and here for Michel’s VF-25G.

One Piece fans, unleash your inner pirate with the One Piece 10th Anniversary Pirate Flags. Released to commemorate 10 years of adventure and the high-sea hijinks of Luffy and his Straw Hat crew, there are four designs to choose from, and each measure 120 centimeters in length and 70 centimeters in width. Pretty cool eh? It’s like having your own Jolly Roger.

What an odd-ball evening on satellite TV yesterday. I watched, for the first time, an episode of Batman: The Brave and The Bold. It’s probably the campiest Batman on the TV screen since Adam West’s rendition of the superhero.

Pretty much everyone in the cartoon show (even his sensei) was commenting on how silly Batman looked in his get-up. Anyways, The Brave and The Bold is pretty fun to watch and good for a few laughs.

Next up on the list of campy stuff was Army of Darkness, which I caught mid-way after watching Batman. Sam Raini should continue making campy horror movies like this. Who would emerge tops from a “Bruce Campbell versus the undead” grudge match? Bruce Campbell of course! No contest!

Do you think Ron Perlman is cool? I would think anyone who has taken on the role of a red demon with sawn-off horns and a bad-ass attitude to be pretty cool in my book. Add in the fact that he is the narrator for Fallout games just makes him even cooler.

In any case, did you know he lent his voice for an animated spin-off based on the Mortal Kombat video game series? Well now you do. Titled “Defenders of the Realm”, it ran its sole season of 13 episodes in 1996. Here’s a clip, try guessing which character the future Hellboy was voicing back in 1996:

I couldn’t help but blog about this since I encounter it not once, but twice in a single day. 1UP, in a recent article, pans the series in a single paragraph (here) whereas Retro Game Load 40 mentions the show as part of its cover story on Mortal Kombat.

If you are ardent Final Fantasy Advent Children fan AND a fanboy who is simply going nuts waiting for Final Fantasy XIII AND your local store has just sold out on Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete (which comes with the FFXIII trial), don’t fret, as Play-Asia is here to save the day.

Still available in their online store is the First Print edition of Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete (with Final Fantasy XIII trial version) at a price of USD 69.90 (~RM 260+) with free international shipping to certain countries. Check it out here.